
If you live in Willowbrook Woods, your financial aid file must be completed by July 1 to ensure proper processing.
To use your financial aid funds for purchases at the ACM Campus Store, your financial
aid file should be completed before August 1 or you may have to pay out-of-pocket and seek reimbursement.
Financial aid files completed after August 1 will be awarded in the order in which
they are received. ACM must have your correct and completed FAFSA by your last day
of enrollment for the academic year.
*IMPORTANT: If your family income has recently decreased or you have unusual circumstances and do not know how to complete your FAFSA, please see the 'Discover More’ area below for the blue box entitled “Special Cases.” If you any questions about this information, please contact our office at 301-784-5213 or email us at studentfinancialaid@allegany.edu.
Students who are selected for Verification by the Federal Government will be notified by the ACM Financial Aid Office through their student email account and may need to provide additional documentation.
In order to complete your file, you must return all ‘Required Documents’, which can
be found in Self-Service, to the Student Financial Aid Office. Once you have submitted
all the documents your file will be reviewed and awarded; at which time you will receive
an official Award Notification email in your ACM email account that explains the award
process. At that time, you may view and accept your awards online in Self-Service.
Some awards do require online acceptance.
Notification of ACM-funded scholarship awards will be made by the ACM Foundation Office.
If you are interested in receiving student loans, you must be enrolled for a minimum
of six credit hours, submit your FAFSA, and complete your financial aid file. You
must also complete the Loan Acceptance Form included in the Award
Notification email. All first-time borrowers at ACM will need to log on to https://studentaid.gov and complete Entrance Counseling and a Master Promissory Note.
For Maryland, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. residents, monitor the email that
you entered on your FAFSA as these State agencies offer State Grants/Scholarships
(if eligible) that normally require additional items to be complete.
Take a look at the following videos for step by step guides and helpful tips!
MARYLAND RESIDENTS
If you live in Maryland, the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) offers:
The State of Maryland grants a waiver of tuition and mandatory fees to students who meet the definition of a foster care youth:
Students must:
Students who receive information that they do not meet the definitions listed above
have the right to appeal that decision. Please contact the Allegany College of Maryland
Homeless and Foster Student Liaison (Ms. Vicki Smith) at vsmith@allegany.edu for more information on this waiver or for instructions on how to appeal a decision.
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Act defines homeless children as "individuals who lack
fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence."
Students must:
Students who receive information that they do not meet the definition listed above
have the right to appeal that decision. Please contact the Allegany College of Maryland
Homeless and Foster Student Liaison (Ms. Vicki Smith) at vsmith@allegany.edu for more information on this waiver or for instructions on how to appeal a decision.
You must complete the FAFSA before March 1, and log on to MD Caps to accept State of Maryland awards.
Visit MHEC’s website for a complete list of grants, scholarships, criteria and applications.
Students may now submit documentation to the Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) as required for certain state grant/scholarship programs, online through their Maryland College Aid Processing System (MDCAPS) account. "How do I upload my documents in MDCAPS?"
If you attend our Bedford County Campus for at least 50% of your total credits versus
attending our Cumberland campus, you will receive a larger grant award.
Visit PHEAA’s website for additional program requirements. Summer PA State Grants require a separate application.
For questions on all PA State Grant programs, please email Ms. Vicki Smith at vsmith@allegany.edu.
WASHINGTON, D.C. RESIDENTS
If you reside in Washington, D.C., you may be eligible to receive grants from:
You are also eligible to use funds from DC GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness
for Undergraduate Programs) if you were a participant.
If you were adopted through District of Columbia Child and Family Services Agency
and/or lost one or both of your parents in 9/11 terrorist attacks, you may be eligible
for a D.C. Adoption Scholarship. Information available in the Student Financial Aid
Office.
View the detailed information sheet here.
WEST VIRGINIA RESIDENTS
If you live in West Virginia, you may be eligible to use funds from WV GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) if you were a
participant.
Unlike grants, you must repay federal and private loans.
FEDERAL DIRECT LOANS
The Federal Direct Student Loan program provides low-interest loans to enable dependent
students to borrow up to $5,500 as a freshman and $6,500 as a sophomore. If your
parent has been denied a Parent PLUS Loan, you are eligible to borrow an additional
$4000 in unsubsidized loan funds. As an independent student, you may borrow up to
$9,500 as a freshman and $10,500 as a sophomore.
These Federal Stafford Loans may be:
Before an award is made, Federal Student Loans require you to: have your complete financial aid file finalized for the academic year, enroll in six Title IV-eligible credits, provide a valid/recent Master Promissory Note, and complete Entrance Counseling.
You may cancel or change your requested loan amount at any time during the academic year. Learn more.
FEDERAL DIRECT PARENT "PLUS" LOANS
The Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan program allows parents to borrow funds to assist
with their dependent student’s education. Parents may borrow up to your estimated
cost of attendance minus any financial aid. Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan refunds
are mailed directly to parent borrowers
REQUIREMENTS: Parents must have a FSA ID that is different than their dependent child’s FSA ID.
Learn more.
PRIVATE/ALTERNATIVE LOANS
We encourage you to apply for Federal Direct Loans before applying for a Private or
Alternative Loan. The Federal Direct Loan Program’s terms and conditions (interest
rate, interest accrual, fees, repayment terms, and deferment policies) are more favorable
than those of a Private or Alternative Loan; and some private loans require you to
make interest payments while in school.
While ACM does not have a preferred lender arrangement, some comparative information
on Private or Alternative Loans can be found here. We will process your private loan request with any private lender
that you choose.
Federal Work-Study is a way for you to earn money to help pay for education expenses.
The program provides part-time employment for students with financial need and academic
excellence. Number of awarded hours and pay rate vary. At a minimum, you will earn
the federal minimum wage.
Our Federal Work-Study Handbook for Students and Supervisors explains the program.
Keypoints:
APPLICATION: Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). FAFSA School Code is 002057.
DEADLINE: Apply in early October of the year that college entry is planned.
Our experienced, knowledgeable staff are excited to share their expertise with you.
Carrie Ford
studentfinancialaid@allegany.edu
Financial Aid Coordinator
301-784-5213
College Center 134
A.S., Allegany College of Maryland
B.S., M.S., Geneva College
Meghan Palumbo
studentfinancialaid@allegany.edu
Financial Aid Student Loan Officer
301-784-5213
College Center 131
A.S., Allegany College of Maryland
B.S., Towson University
Amy Price
studentfinancialaid@allegany.edu
Financial Aid Student Loan Counselor
301-784-5213
College Center 132
A.A., Allegany College of Maryland
B.S., Towson University
Trisha Wagoner
twagoner@allegany.edu
Financial Aid Services Specialist
301-784-5125
College Center 138
A.A., Allegany College of Maryland
Vicki Smith
studentfinancialaid@allegany.edu
Director of Student Financial Aid Programs
301-784-5213
College Center 133
A.A., Allegany College of Maryland
B.S., Shepherd College
M.Ed. Frostburg State University
Louise Stein
studentfinancialaid@allegany.edu
Financial Aid Services Associate
301-784-5213
College Center 138
A.A., Allegany College of Maryland
Derek Young
studentfinancialaid@allegany.edu
Assistant Director of Student Financial Aid
301-784-5213
College Center 136
A.S., Garrett College
B.S., Frostburg State University
You may also like...